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By the close of the 18th century, the Highland dress costumes worn by Scottish gentlemen had become more tailored. The tartan used in the construction of this coat and kilt dates from the late Georgian period, when named patterns first began to appear on a commercial scale. Known variations on this pattern include Kidd, Caledonia, and Macpherson. The suit would likely have been worn with diced hose and brogues, a white linen shirt, a neckcloth, and a long silk waistcoat with a high collar.
This early example of a tailored kilt is secured with two sets of silk ribbon, tied at the hip and the knee. Kilt suit, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49 A-B)
Kilt suit, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49)
Kilt suit, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49)
Kilt suit, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49)
Detail of coat tails of early kilt suit, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49 A)
Rather than forming the pleats of the kilt by hand and securing the garment at the waist with a belt, tailored kilts were sewn to shape and held in place using ribbons and buttons. Kilt, c.1790-1800 (A.1988.49 B)
